South Sudan, Somalia on the agenda of President Kenyatta, Zuma talks

January 11, 2018 12:22 pm

Also on the agenda are matters trade and how to deepen cooperation between the two nations/FILE

By SIMON NDONGA, NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 11 – President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Thursday expected to make an official visit to South Africa in his first foreign trip since he was sworn-in for a second term.

The Head of State will be hosted by his counterpart Jacob Zuma and they will hold bi-lateral talks on ‘pan-African issues’ his spokesman Manoah Esipisu stated.

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The two Presidents will also discuss issues of mutual importance including developments on the continent and internationally.

President Kenyatta hosted the leader of Africa’s second largest economy in October 2016 with many Kenyans hoping South Africa would agree to review its visa requirements.

Zuma was however non-committal saying that easing visa restrictions for Kenyans was a matter in progress and added they were committed to ensure that there are no loopholes for criminals to take advantage of.

South Africa is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas, particularly trade and security.

Numerous South African companies have a presence in Kenya and they operate in sectors such as banking, insurance, accountancy, pharmaceuticals, retail, tourism and engineering.

According to State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu, the leaders will be looking to deepen bilateral cooperation, and especially in the areas of trade, security, and infrastructure development.